WASHINGTON — King Charles III presented President Trump with the bell from a World War II-era British submarine — dubbed the HMS Trump — at the White House state dinner Tuesday, where the two leaders bonded over highs and lows of the centuries-long US-UK relationship.
The shiny brass bell bearing Trump’s name and 1944, the year the submarine left a UK shipyard, was part of a vessel that played “ a critical role during the war in the Pacific,” according to the King.
“May it stand as a testimony to our nation’s shared history and shining future,” Charles said, describing the offering as his “personal gift.”
Charles described the story of Britain and America as one of “reconciliation, from adversaries to the closest of allies, not always perhaps following the straightest path.”
“And should you ever need to get hold of us, well, just give us a ring,” the royal quipped.
“Our people have fought and fallen together in defense of the values we cherish across the ocean and from coast to coast,” the 77-year-old monarch said.
“We have stood together through the best and worst of times,” he added, noting the “challenges we now face from those who wish us harm across the world.”
Trump, in his remarks from the head table, revealed that Charles “agrees” Iran can never be allowed to obtain a nuclear weapon.
“We’re doing a little Middle East work right now, the two of you might know, and we’re doing very well,” the president said, alluding to the ongoing war with Tehran.
“We have militarily defeated that particular opponent, and we’re never going to let that opponent ever – Charles agrees with me even more than I do — we’re never going to let that opponent have a nuclear weapon.”
Trump asserted that “history has known no more powerful force than the combination of American patriotism and British pride.”
Ahead of the dinner, as King Charles and Queen Camilla posed for photos with Trump and first lady Melania on the South Portico, the president praised his majesty’s address to a joint meeting of Congress, telling reporters, “I was very jealous.”
Trump expanded at the top of his remarks inside the East Room.
“He got the Democrats to stand. I’ve never been able to do that,” the president marveled.
“I couldn’t believe it. They liked him more than they’ve ever liked any Republican or Democrat.”
Charles opened his toast by expressing his sympathies for the White House Correspondents’ Dinner shooting – praising Trump’s “courage and steadfastness” and Secret Service agents for their “swift actions … in preventing further injury” – but also joked about the extensive renovations underway at the White House.
“On this occasion, I cannot help noticing the readjustments to the East Wing, Mr. President, following your visit to Windsor Castle last year,” the King said of Trump’s ballroom construction project.
“And I’m sorry to say that we British, of course, made our own small attempt at real estate redevelopment of the White House in 1814,” he joked, referring to the British attempt to burn down the building during the War of 1812.
The dress code for the elaborate dinner – organized by Melania – was white tie and tails.
President Trump’s tuxedo was made by classic American designer Ralph Lauren.
The first lady stunned in a pale delphinium pink silk strapless gown by Christian Dior Haute Couture, with off-white Dior suede gloves and Dior pale delphinium silk pumps.
Queen Camilla wore a deep pink evening gown by famed British designer Fiona Clare along with an amethyst and diamond necklace gifted by a former Duchess of Kent to Queen Victoria, who in turn passed it on to Queen Mary.
The high-profile guest list included Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, Apple CEO Tim Cook, Masters champion Rory McIlroy, Supreme Court Justices Samuel Alito, Clarence Thomas, Amy Coney Barrett, Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh.
House and Senate Republican leaders and several members of Trump’s Cabinet, including Vice President JD Vance and second lady Usha Vance, also attended.
Guests dined on garden herb velouté, handcrafted spring herb ravioli and dover sole meunière, among other dishes.
For dessert, Melania picked a beehive-shaped chocolate gâteau with crème fraîche ice cream and White House honey from the beehive that the Trumps showed the royals on Monday.
A Napa Valley riesling, Willamette Valley pinot noir and a Connecticut chardonnay – “celebrating the strength of American winemaking” – were also offered to guests.
